Car Hire in Lagoa,
Algarve
Book online with us and save up to 37% on your Lagoa Car Hire

Lagoa Information

Lagoa
- HistorySomewhere
between 1242 and 1246 the Moors took possession of this then
small-fortified hamlet and placed it under the control of
nearby Silves. The location was later formally declared a
town only to be severely destroyed by the earthquake of
1755. It was in this town in 1797 that the notorious bandit
José Joaquim Sousa Reis known as Remexido was born.
Commanding a fierce band of followers his acts are recoded
as being a mixture of good and bad legends. Most of the
Algarve and also to the north in the neighbouring Alentejo
district suffered by his band of brigands. He died before a
firing squad in Faro in 1838. The town of Lagoa has since
grown as an administrative town for the area that lived off
in the past its abundant agricultural produce.

Lagoa
- DescriptionWithin
the town are a number of long buildings with double doors
that open into courtyards, off which more than just a large
storeroom can be found as it will often be the home of some
rich landowner. The produce was dependent on the time of
year and could be from carob beans to topsoil vegetable
products. On the outskirts of the town used to be an active
co-operative for the owners of vineyards that are still
produce a small quantity of full bodied red wine. This
reduction has been seriously effected by the demise of
vineyards over recent years as their owners have found a new
"pot of gold" by selling their land as building plots.

The parish church was inaugurated in 1814 but there is the
older church, the Igreja de Misericórdia that dates from the
middle of the 18th Century. Another building of interest is
the Convento do São José which was built in 1713 and
survived the earthquake of 1755. It is now used by the local
Council as a location for art exhibitions and has a small
theatre for cultural events. Inside is a turn-box door which
was in previous times used for passing unwanted babies to
the nuns. The mother would place the baby and any small
possessions on a shelf in the box and communicate through a
small aperture with the nun on the other side. The revolving
door delivered the baby to the nuns without the mother
having to disclose her identity.

In August of every year an important commercial and rural
produce Fair named Fatacil is held in the town, exhibiting
products from all over Portugal. The occasion provides an
excuse for enjoyment and national bands and singers
entertain the visitors late into the night.

Lagoa
- Nearby LocationsThe nearby
town of Estombar has a history dating further back to when
the Moors occupied the Algarve. It was the home of the
famous 11th Century Arab poet “Ibn Ammar”. Many local
legends exist and there are reputed to be subterranean
passages from near this town going inland for about 12 Kms.
to the ancient Moorish capital of Silves. Near to Estombar
is an area named Sítio de Fontes that has for centuries been
a popular swimming spot due to two freshwater springs that
provide a small lagoon prior to joining the Rio Arade. The
authorities have now created at this attractive area an open
space for performing plays and general picnicking.

To the south of the Lagoa is the once small fishing village
of Carvoeiro that today is an area of expensive villas,
comfortable holiday apartments and golf courses. To the east
is the small and attractive village of Porches that dates
back to the Roman period. Unfortunately, the earthquake of
1755 destroyed its ancient castle and also the original
parish church that is believed to date to the 16th Century.

To the west of Lagoa on the edge of the river, Rio Arade,
opposite the town of Portimão is the small town of Ferragudo.
Romantically said to have once been the home of local
pirates this place has retained much of its Portuguese
flavour, and as yet, it has not been too influenced by
tourism. During the summer on weekend evenings the main
square is filled with the sound of music and laughter as the
locals and tourists dance the night away.